n
her ear the significant words: "Now depart; pay your tribute, you cannot
tarry here. Go, and return with the chosen!"

A hand seized her arm and conducted her to the door. Almost blinded by
the bright light, she entered the adjoining apartment, where it seemed
as if she saw through a veil muffled figures go forward to the centre,
and deposit money in a marble basin which stood upon a kind of altar;
naphtha burned in silver basins upon each end of it, and a muffled
figure stood near.

Wilhelmine advanced to the altar, and with quick decision drew a diamond
ring from her finger, and begged permission to deposit it instead of
money.

The muffled figure bowed, and handed to her the new watchword--a picture
of a Madonna, with the sign of the Rosicrucians underneath. Then she
returned, and awaited at the door, with a little gathering, which
must consequently belong to the sixth grade. Gradually the others had
withdrawn; the naphtha-flames upon the altar were extinguished, and
the wax-lights of the centre lustres had grown dim, and gradually
extinguished themselves. Soon the doors were opened, and a bright light,
as of the sun's rays, filled the hall. Three blasts of trumpets sounded,
and a choir of immortal voices sang, "Enter, ye blessed ones! Enter, ye
elect!"

They entered, whispering the sign to the guards, who stood with drawn
swords, and passed on to the throne upon which stood a couch, surrounded
with blooming flowers and covered with a cloud of silvery gauze. They
soon discovered a secret something was hidden under the cloud, though
they knew not whether it were child, woman, or man. They knelt upon the
lower step of the throne, with folded hands and bowed heads, praying in
a low voice. A solemn stillness reigned, the prayers died away on the
lips, and the hearts scarcely beat for anxiety and expectation. Suddenly
a voice, which seemed to come from the silver cloud, so distant and
lofty, and rolling like majestic thunder, cried, "He comes, the chosen
one! The Great Kophta comes!"

The folding-doors flew open, and the Great Kophta entered.
Wilhelmine recognized in the majestic figure, enveloped in a flowing,
silver-embroidered satin robe, with a band of brilliants around his
brow, the handsome face of Cagliostro, beaming as if in an ecstasy. He
saluted the brothers with a gentle voice, and bade them approach and
touch his hand. As Wilhelmine did so, a thrill ran through her whole
being, and she sank overpowere